Tony looked over at Gibbs and he read him like a book. "Spit it out DiNozzo."
He peered up from his desk. "I uh, I was just staring into space boss."
"I've seen you stare into space…this time it's a stare with purpose…now what is it?"
He got up and paced over to his boss's desk, leaning over it slightly. "You see, I'm thinking maybe…ah never mind."
Gibbs shook his head, Tony had been acting differently since he and his wife had separated, and though he was trying to be supportive he knew that was more of Abby or Ducky's area of expertise. "Look DiNozzo, maybe you should take the morning off, come back in the afternoon?"
"No boss, I'm fine…trust me."
Just then Ziva entered and Tony's facial expression changed quickly. Gibb being as perceptive as he was picked up on it. As the team all sat down at their desks, Gibbs stood up.
"DiNozzo, with me. Ziva, McGee, you owe me reports from yesterdays apprehension."
"On it." Was the response from the two, while Tony reluctantly sulked behind Gibbs.
The corner behind the stair case seemed like a safe enough place. Gibbs turned to face Tony, eye to eye. "What is going on with you?"
"Okay okay, you're not gonna let this go are you?" Gibbs simply stared back. "Yeah I didn't think so…listen I just think since, I'm back on the market now and all that, that maybe…"
"If you two are gonna do it you better do it soon, you're driving me crazy."
Tony mouth stayed open. "You knew about me and Ziva?"
Gibbs smiled. "Wasn't for sure, till just now…but let me make myself clear when I say that if this interferes with our jobs, I'll be on you two so fast you won't know what hit you."
"Got it boss."
"Have you talked to Jake about it?"
"See that's another thing…I'm not quite sure how he's gonna take it. I mean, it could be a smooth transition, since she's been in his life for a while, but then again that may make it even more difficult with her becoming a parental figure and all."
"You got yourself in a little dilemma there DiNozzo…solve it. It's part of being a parent."
"Bringing home a new woman for the kid to get used to is part of being a parent?"
"It's part of you being a parent…just talk to him. He's a good kid."
"Okay, got it. Talk to him. No problemo."
Gibbs entered back into the bull pen, with DiNozzo following close behind. As he got behind his desk, he mouthed two words to Ziva that could only be read as: 'HE KNOWS." The look that fell on Ziva's face in the next few seconds was priceless.
Believe it or not, telling Gibbs was the easy part, it was telling Jake that would take the finesse, and Tony knew it.
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